Suspension



NOV A2 1943 u H. A. KNOX 2,333,107

Nov. 2, 1943. H. A. KNOX SUSPENSION Filed Dec.v22, 1941 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 O E /af men/Wo@ Harry A Knmx am, #Wj WJM Nov. 2, 1943. 4 H.' A. KNQX 2,333,101

SUSPENSION Filed Dec. 22, 1941 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 Nov. 2, 1943. H. AfKNOX 2,333,107

SUSPENSION Filed Dec. 22, 1941 6 Slfleer/s-Shee'cl 6 O G 2/2 Q O am w Ea/ f Q l' NV) ma L "lll/lll 1431.15.. Harry A Knnx Patented Nov. 2, 1943y UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE SUSPENSION nan-y A. Knox, Washington, D. C.

Application December 22, 1941, Serial No. 423,888

A (Granted under the act o! March 3, l'1883, as amended April 30, 1928; 370,0. G. '157) 13 Claims.

The invention described herein may be manufactured and used by or for the Government for governmental purposes, without the payment to me of any royalty thereon. f

This invention relates to a suspension for a vehicle.

An object of this invention is to provide a resilient suspension for the wheels of a track laying vehicle.

Another object of this invention is to provide a suspension for the main supporting wheels and idler wheels of a. track laying vehicle incorporating a volute spring and positive means for mounting the suspension to the body of the vehicle.

Another object of this invention is to provide a suspension for the main supporting wheels and trailing idler wheel of a track laying vehicle and said suspension has practically a linear displacement versus restoring force characteristic for small displacements of those wheels and furnishes more than a proportionate restoring force for large displacements of the idler wheel.

Another object of this invention is to provide a compact suspension for a pair of wheels on a vehicle incorporating common resilient means.

Another object of this invention is to provide novel means for pivotally mounting a pair of ve-` hicle wheels in spaced relationship to a common resilient means.

The suspensions disclosed herein support two parallel spaced wheel axles resiliently and ior a suspension which supports but one wheel axle resiliently in a manner somewhat similar to that disclosed in the instant application referenceA is made to my copending application, Serial No. 399,661 filed June 25, 1941, now Patent No. 2,323,- 919, issued July 13, 1943.

The specific nature of the invention as well as other objects and advantages thereof will clearly appear from a description of a preferred embodiment as shown in the accompanying drawings in which:

Fig. 1 is a view in side elevation of a single spring suspension embodying features of this invention and has parts broken away so as to more clearly show the stops which are formed integral with the bracket frame and movable wheel supporting arms.

Fig. 2 is a view taken substantially online 2-2 of Fig. 1. i

Fig. 3 is a view taken substantially on line 3-3 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a view taken substantially on line I-l of Fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is a view taken substantially on line 5-5 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 6 is a view taken substantially on line 6-6 of Fig. 1.

Fig. '7 is a sectional view of the clamp 25a and shows the manner in which bolt I5a holds pin I5 against axial movement.

Fig. 8 is a view in side elevation of a double spring suspension embodying features of this invention.

Fig. 9 is a view taken substantially on line 9-9 of Fig. 8.

Fig. 10 is a view taken substantially on line I|J-I0ofFig.9.

Fig. 11 is a view taken substantially on line I l-I l of Fig. 8.

Fig. 12 is a view in side elevation of a double spring suspension for an intermediate wheel and an idler Wheel of a track laying vehicle.

Fig. 13 is a plan view of the suspension shown in Fig. 12.

Fig. 14 is a side view o! the spring seat 213 which is shown in Fig. i2.

Fig. 15 is a view taken substantially on line l5-I5 of Fig. 14.

Fig. 16 is a view taken substantially on line Iii-IB of Fig. 13.

Fig. 17 is a view taken substantially on line Il-Il of Fig. 12.

Fig. 18 discloses aplan view of a modified spring seat.

Fig. 19 discloses a sectional view of a modified Single spring suspension Referring to Figs. 1-7 a single volute spring IIl is adapted to be encased within the bracket; I I, 5I between two movable spring seats I2, I3 so as to providev a resilient support for the fixed pins I4, I5 which are rigidly connected at the junction of wheel supporting arms 24, 21, 24a, 21a respectively, Fig. '7. The Spring seats I2 and I3 have a channel I8, I8a respectively in which a hardened rectangular plate I9, IBa is centrally held by means of pins 20, 20a (Figs. 3 and 4) which are rigidly fixed in spring seat i2, I3 and fit loosely in holes 2|, Zia in the hardened bar, respectively. The spring seat I2 has a projecting portion I2a having a pair of tapped holes I2b therein for Y vertical wall.

ing holes |e therein for the passage of melightness and for assembly purposes. Circular pins I4. I5 are hardened and adapted to abut the hardened plates I9, |9a respectively substantially along a line contact. Pins I4, I5 are held in the pair of split clamps 25, a (Fig. 7) respectively which are integral with wheel supporting arms 24, 21, 24a, 21a respectively and the clamping bolts Ma, I 5a pass through grooves Mb, Ib in the ends of pins I4, I5 so as to prevent axial movement of the pins.

The wheels of the vehicle are supported by axles 60, 6| which are held at their ends in spaced hollow portions 2S, 26a formed at the junction of the supporting arms 24, IS and 26a, Ilia,

Arms 2l, 21a are joined with arms I6, 2t and ISa, 2da respectively so as to produce four separate'triangular-shaped frame members A, B, C', D, having a hollow portion at the corner of each of the triangles for the reception of a cylindrical member. The triangular-shaped structures are arranged in pairs and are joined by tubes 28, 28a (Fig. 2) by welding, brazing or mechanical fastening means.

Pins lil, I5 are rigidly connected to the triangular-shaped structures by means of clamping i bolts Ita, Ia respectively which tighten the split clamps 25, 25a and thus provide-a rigid supporting structure. Grooves Ill', I5 in the ends of pins It, I5 allow engagement of a mechanical tool for rotating the pins Iii, I5 a small amount when they become Worn and when they no longer provide a line contact with the hardened bars ISI, Iga at the spring seats I2, I3; clamps 25, 25a (Fig. 7) would have to be loosened before this operation could be performed.

A resilient coupling is provided between tubes 2t, 23a and shafts 29, 23a respectively by ldriving them through the tight-tting rubber bushings 30, Sta respectively which extend practically the length of the tubes 23, 28a. The ends of shafts 2S, 29a have grooves similar to that' shown at 3m in Fig. 2 through which common locking bolts 32, 33 are adapted to pass so as to prevent the shafts 29, 25a from moving axially; also the suspension bracket II is split at 34, 35 (Fig. 1) so that the suspension bracket portion Ila which encircles the ends of shafts 29, 29a is drawn up tight around those ends when nuts 36, 3l on bolts 32, 33 are tightened. Thus relative movement between the triangular-shaped supportingv structuresfA, B, C, D and shafts 29, 29a is accommodated by the resiliency of the rubber bushings 30, tda.

Spring seat I3 has a pair of holes I3a (Fig. 5)

therein for the passage of assembly bolts (not shown) having a tapped portion engageable with tapped holes |212 in the other spring seat I2.

Extensions IIb, 5|b (Fig. 6) on the suspension brackets II and 5| respectively are adapted to cooperate with the anges If on arms I6, 16u so as to limit the upward movement of lthose arms and associated wheels. The downward movement of arms I6, Ilia and associated wheels is limited by the coaction of extensions IIb, 5I'b with the projections 21j on arms 2l, 21a.

The volute spring I0 is held in centered rela.- tion in its housing by means of the surrounding flange portions |3f (Fig. 3) on spring seat I3 and the projection I2a on spring seat I2.

The supporting bracket is made in two parts and 5|. Bracket has a ange 50a having holes h therein for the passage of mechanical fastening means for fastening bracket II to a Bracket 5| has a flange 5Ia havchanical fastening means for fastening bracket 5| to a vertical wall; also bracket projection 5Ic has holes Bld therethrough for the passage of mechanical fastening means for fastening the projection 5Ic to the underside of a vehicle floor F.

The bracket also has two upstanding supports II g, IIh adapted to have inserted therein a portion of a wheel bearing and a hollow portion I Ii within which a portion of the supported wheel W extends. The last mentioned wheel is used to support the track for the track laying vehicle.

Double spring suspension This construction (Figs. 8-11) is similar to the construction shown for the single spring light suspension.

Two volute springs IIB, are encased in the bracket II2 between two movable spring seats I I3, II@ so as to provide a resilient support for the fixed pins |I5, |I5a which are rigidly connected at the junction of wheel-supporting arms IIB with III, and IISa with Illa respectively. The spring seats II3, IIIl have a channel IIS, Ila respectively in which a hardened rectangular plate IIS, I|9a is centrally held by means of pins similar to pins |20, which are rigidly xed in` spring seats I I3, lill and fit loosely in holes similar to hole I2I, in the hardened plate IIB. The spring seat I I3 has projecting portions I I3a having a. par of tapped holes ||3b therein for lightness and for assembly purposes. Circular-pins IIS, I|5a are hardened and adapted to abut the hardened plates IIQ, IISa respectively substan-l tially along a line contact. Pins II5, |I5a are held in the pairs of split clamps |22, I2a respectively which are integral with wheel supporting arms IIS, III, IIEa, Illa respectively.

The wheels of the vehicle are supported by axles I, ISI which are held at their extremities in spaced hollow portions |25, |25a formed at the junction of the supporting arms IIS with |22 and IIGa with I22a.

Arms IIS, Ila are joined with arms III, Illa and with arms I22, |2211 respectively so as to produce four separate triangular-shaped frame members A', B', C', D', having a, hollow portion at the corner of each of the triangles for the reception of a cylindrical member. The triangular-shaped frame structures are arranged in pairs and are joined by tubes |23, |23a 4by welding, brazing or mechanical fastening means.

Pins IIE, IISa are rigidly connected to the triangular-shaped structures by means of clamping bolts I I5b, I |5c respectively and thus provide a. rigid supporting structure. The bolts pass through pin grooves similar to II5e in Fig. 11.

Grooves II5' ,I Ia' in the ends of pins IIS, IIEa' allow engagement of a mechanical tool for rotating them through the tight-fitting resilient rubber bushings |3|, |3|a respectively which extend practically the length of the tubes |23, |23a. The

.ends of shafts |30, |3011, have detents |32, |320.

therein through which common locking bolts |33, |33a are adapted to pass so as to prevent shafts |30, |300. from rotating-and from moving axially; also the suspension bracket I I2 is split at |34, |35

so that the suspension bracket portion 2a which encircles the ends of shafts |30, |30a is drawn up tight around those ends when nuts |36, |31 on bolts |33, |33a are tightened. Thus relative movement between the triangular-shaped supporting structures A', B', C', D' and shafts |30, |30a is accommodated by the resiliency of the rubber bushings 3|, |3|a.

Spring seat ||4 hasa pair of holes ||4a therein for the passage of an assembly bolt (not shown) having a tapped portion engageable with one of the tapped holes ||3b in the other spring seat H3.

The volute springs ||0, are held in centered relation in its bracket housing ||2 by means of the surrounding flanges ||4f on spring seat ||4 and the pair of projections |3a on spring seat ||3.

The supporting bracket is made in two parts ||2, |5|.- Bracket ||2 has a, flange ||2g having holes ||2h therein for the passage of mechanical fastening means for fastening bracket ||2 to a vertical wall. Bracket |5| has a flange |5|a having holes |5|b therein for the passage of mechanical fastening means for fastening bracket |5| to a vertical wall, also projection |5|c has holes therethrough for the passage of mechanical fastening means for fastening the projection I5 |c to the underside of a vehicle floor F.

The bracket ||2 also has two upstanding supports H2lc, l 12m adapted to hold a wheel bearing and a hollow portion |2n within which a portion of the supported wheel extends. The last mentioned wheel is used to support the track for track laying vehicles,

Double spring suspension for trailing idler This construction relates to an arrangement wherein one of the intermediate vehicle wheels and a trailing idler wheel of a track laying vehicle are resiliently supported by a common suspension.

Two volute springs 2|0, 2|| are encased in the bracket 2|2 between two movable springs seats 2|3, 2|4 so as to provide a resilient support for the xed pins 2|5, 2|5a which are rigidly connected at the junction of wheel supporting arms 2|6, 2|'|, 2|6a., 2|`|a respectively. The spring seats 2|3, 2|4 have a channel 2|8, 2|6a (Fig. 16) respectively in which a hardened rectangular plate 2|9, 2|9a is centrally held by means of pins 220, 220a which are rigidly fixed in spring seats 2|3, 2|4 and lt loosely in holes 22|, 22|a in the hardened bar respectively. The spring seat 2|3 has projecting portions 2 3a insertable in the hollow portions of volute springs 2|0, 2|| and have a pair of tapped holes 2|3b therein for lightness and-for assembly purposes. Circular pins 2| 5, 2 5a are hardened and adapted to abut the hardened plates 2|9, 2|9a respectively substantially along a line contact. Pins 2|5, 2| 5a, are held in the pair of split clamps 222, 222a. respectively which are integral with and at the junction of wheel supporting arms 2|6, 2|'|, 2|6a., 2|'la respectively.

The intermediate vehicle wheel issupported by an axle 234 which is held at its extremities in spaced hollow portions 223a. Hollow portions idler`wheel axle 236 may be adjustably mounted by means disclosed inmy copending application,

Cil

Serial No. 397,127 iiled June 7, 19,41.

The axle 235 is movable within the hollow portions 23Go of arm 238 by looseningv clamping 236e on arm 236 and consequently as the nuts mounted on shafts 230, 230a.

242 are. rotated the washers 24| must move as well as the axle 235 which is threaded through those washers. Also washer 24| has a portion 24|b with a rectangular cross section adapted to t snugly in the arm hollow portion 236D so as to form a guide for movement of the axle 235l during the adjusting operation.

Arms 2|6, 2|6a are joined with arms 2H, 2|'|a, 232, and 232a respectively so as to produce four separate triangular-shaped frame members A, B", C, D". The triangular-shaped structures are arranged in pairs and are joined by tubes 231, 231g by welding, brazing or mechanical fastening means.

Pins 2|5, 2|5a. are rigidly connected to the triangular shaped structures by means of clamping bolts 2|5b, 2|5c respectively and thus provide a rigid supporting structure. Grooves 2|5, 2|5a in the ends of pins 2|5, 2|5a allow engagement of a mechanical tool for rotating the pins 2|5, 2|5a. a small amount when they become worn and when they no longer provide a line contact at spring seats 2|3, 2M; clamps 222, 222a would have'to be loosened'before this operation could be performed.u f

A hardened bearing surface with lubricating means therefor is provided between tubes 231, 23`la. and shafts 230, 230a. respectively. The frame members A, B", C", D" are pivotally The hardened bushings 223g are shrunk or pressfltted to the tubular members 237, 23'la and may be considered to be a part of those respective tubular members. The bearing for shaft 230a. is disclosed and it is understood that the bearing for shaft 230 is of identical structure. Hardened rings or plates 22311. (Fig. 17) are fastened to the bracket hubs 2|2g by means of dowel pins 2 ith which have one end fastened ln the hubs 2|2g and the other end extending into a hole in the rings or plates 223k. The hardened rings or plates 223h cooperate with the flanged portion 223i of bushing 223g so that a hardened bearing surface is provided to take up the end thrust of shafts 230, 230a.

The shafts 230, 230a, have axially extending channels 230g and connected radially extending channels 230k, for the passage of lubricating ma- 223a are formed at the junction of the supporting arms 2 |6a, 2320, and serve to conne the axle 234 of an intermediate wheel of the track laying vehicle.

The idler wheel of the track laying vehicle is 'adapted to be mounted on axle 235 which is adjustably mounted on the pair of arms 236. The

up the surrounding split bracket portions 2|2p (Fig. 12) around one of the ends of the'shafts 230, 230a so as to clamp these shafts against rotation.

a tapped portion engageable with one of the n tapped holes 2 I Sbin the other spring seat 2I 3.

The volute springs 2I0, 2I I are held in centered f relation in its ,bracket housing 2I2 by means of the surrounding flanges 2I4f on spring seat 2M and the pair of projections 2I3a on spring seat 2 I3. Y `The supporting bracket 2I2 is made in one part and has a flange 2I9g `having holes 2I9h' therein for the passage of mechanical fastening means for fastening bracket 2 I 2 to a Vertical wall; also, bracket 2I2 has a flange 2I2m having holes 2I2n therein for the passage of mechanical fasi tening means for fastening the bracket 2I2 to the vehicle floor F.

Figs. 18-21 disclose a. modified bearing for joining the wheel supporting frame member to its associated spring seat. Spring seat 3I0 is formed from two cylindrical members 3I0a, 3I0b arranged to form a T-shaped spring seat by a weld W or by mechanical means. Cylindrical member 3I0a is adapted to be disposed in the hollow portion of a volute spring as indicated on the previous figures and has a tapped portion 3I0c adapted to receive an assembly tool (not shown). It is obvious that more than one cylindrical member 3I0a may be provided on the spring seat'in accordance with the number of volute springs in the suspension.

Cylindrical member 3I0b is made hollow so that a shaft 3II may be threaded therethrough and spaced therefrom by means of sleeve 3I2 and needle bearings 3I3, 3M. Two sets of needle bearings 3I3, 3I4 are spaced from one another by means of the inner flange 3I0e which may be formedintegral with cylinder 3I0b. Hardened bearing members SI5, 3I6 are disposed on opposite ends of sleeve 3I2 and have flanges 3I5a, 3 I6a adapted to cooperate with shoulders 3Illf, 3IIlg respectively so as to prevent end thrust in the composite bearing. Shaft 3II extends through hollow portions in triangular-shaped frame members B"' and D'" which are of the type described vin the previous arrangements havingI the general reference numerals B and D and is locked to the frame members by means of a key K as well as shaft hexagon head 3| Ia and nut 3l Ib on the shaft. Key K extends into a slot in shaft 3II and a groove 3I6h in frame member D'". A ring shaped oil retainer3l1 of resilient oil re- `sistant material is disposed in the space defined by the L-shaped bearing members 3I5, 3I6 and the inner adjacent surfaces of cylindrical member 3I0b so as to help in confining the lubricating fluid which is introduced through a con'ven' tional lubricating fluid check valve 3I8 in the composite bearing. The sleeve 3I2, L-shaped bearing members 3I5, 3I6 are clamped to the shaft 3II due to the clamping action produced by shaft hexagon head 3Ila and nut 3|Ib so that those vmembers move only upon movement I of the frame members B D". The inside bearing surfaces of cylindrical member 3I0b are flame hardened or may be hardened by anrelectrical 1 induction heating and cooling process.

The spring seats disclosed in the drawings are of a channel or U-shaped cross section and :a replaceable hardened bar abuts the inner horizontal surface of the U-shaped member; it is under-v arms pivoted about xe'd parallel axes and adapted to hold a wheel axle on their free ends, an arm extending from each of the first mentioned arms and pivoted about the same axes, a. resilient member having oppositely movable ends, a movable seat for each of the resilient member ends and having an external bearing surface, and a pin mounted on each of the free endsof the second mentioned arms and coacting with each of said external bearing surfaces.

2. A vehicle suspension embodying a pair of arms pivoted about fixed parallel axes and adapted to hold a Wheel axle on their free ends, an arm extending from freach of the first mentioned arms and pivoted about the same axes, a resilient member having oppositely movable ends, a movable seat for each of the resilient movable ends and each having an external bearing surface, a casing for said resilient member, means for fastening the casing to the vehicle body, a bearing surface on each .of the second mentioned arms cooperating with each of the seat bearing surfaces, a pair of extensions on said casing, and a projection on each of said second mentioned arms cooperating with the extensions for limiting the movement of said second mentioned arm with respect to said casing.

3. In a wheel suspension for a vehicle, a casing,

with respect to the hubs, an arm pivoted about each shaft and having its free end adapted' to hold a wheel axle, an arm extending from each of the rst mentioned arms and pivoted about the same axes, a resilient member having oppositely movable ends, a movable seat for each of the resilient movable ends and each having an external bearing surface adapted to be engaged by the second mentioned arms, a pair of extensions on said casing, and a projection on each of the second mentioned arms coacting with said extension for limiting the movement of the arms with respect to the casing.

4. A vehicle. suspension embodying a pair of arms pivoted about parallel axes and each adapted to holdV a wheel axle on its free end, an

' arm rigidly connected to each of the first mentioned arms and pivoted about the same axes, a spring having two relatively movable ends, a movable seat for each of said spring ends and having an. external bearing surface, and a cylindrical member stationarily mounted on the free end of each of said second mentioned arms and coacting with said external bearing surfaces substantially along a line contact.

5. A vehicle suspension embodying a pair of arms pivoted about Y parallel 4axes and each adapted to hold a wheel axle on its free end, a second arm rigidly connected to said first mentioned arm and pivoted about the same axes, a

spring having two movable ends, a movable seat for each of the spring ends and having an external bearing surface, a clamp formed at the free ends of the second mentioned arms, and a cylindrical member stationarily mounted in the clamp and coacting with the external bearingsurfaces substantially .along a line contact.'

6. A vehicle suspensionv embodying two pairs of arms pivotable about parallel axes and each pair adapted to hold awheel axle on their free ends, an extension on each of said arms, a spring having two movable ends, a movable seat for one end of the spring and having an external bearing surface, a cylindrical member abutting said external bearing surface on av line contact, means for rigidly fastening the ends of the cylindrical member tothe free ends of the extensions of one pairV of arms, a spring seat for the other spring end and having a hollow portion therein, a shaft passing through the hollow portion, and means for rigidly connecting the ends of lthe shaft to the ends of the extensions on the remaining pair of arms.

7. In al vehicle suspension two spaced parallel shafts, a pair of arms pivoted about each one of the spaced parallel shafts and adapted to hold a wheel axle on their free ends, a tubular member joining the arms which comprise a pair, said tubular member being concentrically mounted on the corresponding shaft, resilient material disposed between and spacing each tubular member and its shaft, an extension on at least one of each pair of said arms, a resilient member having two movable ends, a movable seat for one end of the resilient member, a movable seat for the other end ofthe resilient member, and means the rst mentioned arms, a resilient member having two movable ends and disposed with said ends adjacent the free ends of the second mentioned arms, and means for coupling adjacent free ends of the arm and adjacent ends ofthe resilient member. I

9. A vehicle suspension embodying an arm pivoted about an axis and adapted to hold a wheel axle on its free end, a second arm rigidly connected to said arm and pivoted about the same axis, a spring having two ends at least one of which is movable, a movable seat for the movable spring end, said movable seat having a portion with a U-shaped cross section, a replaceable hardened bar abutting the inner surface of the horizontal portion of the U-shaped spring seat, and a hardened pin mounted on the free end of said second arm and contacting the hardened bar along a line contact. n

10. A vehicle suspension embodying an arm pivoted about an axis and adapted to hold a Wheel axle on its free end, asecond arm rigidly connected to said arm and pivoted about the same axis, a spring having two ends at least one of which is movable, a movable seat for the movable spring end, said movable seat having a portion with a U shaped cross section, said movable seat having the inner surface of the horizontal portion of the U hardened, and a hardened pinmounted on the free end of said second arm and contacting the inner surface of the horizontal portion of the U along a line contact.

11. The same as in claim 9 and means for adjustably mounting said hardened pin on the free lend of said second arm.

12. The same as in claim 2 and a wheel axle support on the casing.

13. The same as in claim 3 and a wheel axle Support 0n the casing.

HARRY A. KNOX. 

